Stylish City cruise past Arsenal in PL opener

Manchester City produced a slick performance as they got their Premier League title defence under way with a routine 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.

The champions came into the game looking to pick up from last season’s record campaign with three points as they begin their attempt to defend the Premier League for the first time since Manchester United in 2008-09.

Arsenal, on the other hand, started life without Arsene Wenger, as new boss Unai Emery was faced with the prospect of stopping a team that quite simply swatted Arsenal aside with some big victories over the last few seasons.

City looked in the mood right from the onset as they moved the ball with a purpose and pace which has proved so difficult for teams to handle.

Pep Guardiola did not have to wait long for his team to open the scoring. With just 14 minutes played, Raheem Sterling ducked inside from the left flank and released a rocket of a shot which hit the back of the net in the blink of an eye.

It was all City as they dominated the ball, restricting Arsenal to the odd break which was duly snuffed out by the visitors’ defence.

City then went close on the 28-minute mark when Riyad Mahrez had his low free kick saved by Petr Cech, the Arsenal keeper spilt the shot but got up quickly to make a superb second save.

Arsenal managed to keep Guardiola’s team at bay for the remainder of the half as Emery’s men trailed by just one goal at the break.

Sergio Aguero should have made it 2-0 for City with 63 minutes gone when Arsenal youngster Matteo Guendouzi misjudged a header, allowing the Argentinian to run at Cech from the halfway line. Cech, however, made a great save to keep his side in it.

Aguero’s miss mattered little when Bernardo Silva doubled their lead just a minute later. Benjamin Mendy combined well with Sterling before cutting the ball back to the Portuguese international, who swept the ball into the top corner.

The second goal essentially killed the game as a contest as the Citizens looked to keep the ball and control the tempo of the game.

Arsenal couldn’t fashion a way back into the game as Emery’s Premier League debut ended in a 2-0 defeat to the champions.